Tag: Nas

I’m determined to “make friends” with and capitalize on the opportunities which the planetary energy associated with Saturn is offering.

As I’ve matured, I’ve learned to appreciate the depth of symbolism which reflects the archetypal nature of the ringed planet.

In some circles, Saturn is considered to be a “malefic”, but I think it’s important to recognize that there can be a wider context employed when analyzing the planet in its totality. There are definitely two sides to the coin.

While Saturn’s energy is associated with delays, limitations, restrictions and sometimes pain- ALL of these can serve us a tremendous teachers.

Situations where staunch discipline is required and we must delay short-term gratification, or even circumstances where we feel hurt can offer us a top notch education. After all, when we learn lessons the hard way, we’re much less likely to forget them right away.

Saturn isn’t a flashy or glamorous planet by any stretch of the imagination. It’s energy takes us to task: it asks that we get down to business, and engage in finding practical solutions to problems without the aid of quick fixes.

In a world filled with short cuts where the mentality of expecting “something for nothing” runs rampant, it’s appropriate that Saturn’s reputation is met squarely with its share of grumbling. The more I think about it, I realize that society has a collective fear of Saturnine energies because of our aversion of anything that may be remotely difficult. However, when you analyze what the word actually means, it raises more questions as to why we have such a high level of anxiety.

The word difficult is defined as: “needing much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with or understand.” Saturn is asking us to actually WORK in order to actualize our aspirations. After all, if we say we want it, shouldn’t we be willing to put in the time, sweat, intellectual or physical rigor to obtain our goals?

As far as Saturn’s relationship with limitations and delays is concerned, sometimes they’re necessary in order to obtain more clarity concerning a person or situation, or better yet, OURSELVES.

It would benefit us all to keep in mind that when it comes to Saturn, we can easily self inflict our pain by attempting to tread the path of least resistance. If we think about our lives more deeply, many of our journeys of self-discovery probably came off the heels of some intensely discomforting circumstances.

I don’t mind sharing that Saturn was in the picture (along with Uranus and Pluto) when I was involved in a tumultuous relationship which I viewed to be limiting. Although there was a high level of discomfort, that experience led me toward the deep exploration and study of the dynamics of partnership Astrology. I was also given cosmic instructions from the taskmaster on the importance of embracing solitude and setting healthy boundaries in relationships. What once seemed painful was merely a reorganization in service of restoring personal congruence.

Saturn is associated with many qualities, but integrity and authority are two that loom large. Regarding authority, Saturn symbolizes our internal locus of control, and the values we’ve worked to discover through time and experience. The breaking of the parental mold, where we firmly place ourselves as the primary manager of our lives.

Integrity isn’t only included in the realm of self-honesty, but it also suggests a wholeness or completeness within our psyche. To be undivided. To have our thoughts, words and actions demonstrate consistency.

During a major “Saturn period”, we may feel frustrated or “fated”, hence the planets reputation as the “lord of Karma”. We may feel as if Senex or “Father Time” is “out to get” us. This simply isn’t true. For these periods of difficulty are necessary to illicit self-exploration as a means to extract meaning out of our situation. Whether it’s a Saturn transit or natal placement, it’s purpose is to show us a specific set of experiences that are required for the development of our WHOLE SELF.

I’m thrilled to say that I’m working on my relationship with Saturn, and I appreciate what I’m learning. Although it’s not an easy task, my hope is that we’ll be friends one day soon, and if there’s a delay on that, I have faith that it’s all in the name of gaining a higher level of clarity about my life and myself.

How do you begin talking about a masterpiece? I mean… where do you start? First of all I make no apologies for stating my personal opinion that I think Nas’ Illmatic is one of the best (if not THE best) Hip-Hop albums ever created.

Many of us still want to know what the young, 19 year old upstart from Queensbridge was thinking during the making his debut album, which would go on to be critically acclaimed as a standard for Emcees everywhere.

With a heavy hitting “dream team” production from DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-TIP and LES, the red carpet was rolled out for Nas, and he delivered in such a colossal way that Illmatic will forever go on the list of albums that set a blueprint for hip hop greatness.

There’s no question in my mind that Illmatic was needed in the universe right at the time it came out, and it embodied the qualities of that moment, as we’ll see by looking at its birth chart.

It’s apropos that the introduction to Illmatic is titled “The Genesis”, which is a powerful expression of its 29 degree Aries Sun. This album signals a sense of “coming into being” and new beginnings, especially for the New York hip-hop scene.

In addition, Aries at the 29 degree mark suggests the height of competition. There’s a glaring illumination of potential for a colossal impact in the world as reflected by its 10th house position near the top of the birth chart.

Illmatic’s Aries Sun suggests being ignited by the fuel of “champion” or warrior energy where aspirations are centered on winning and being the best. There’s no doubt that the cosmos confirms Illmatic being a pioneering album with aims toward being number one. Nas’ masterpiece was given a coveted “5 Mic” rating (suggesting a “perfect album”) from “The Source” Magazine, who at that time, held significant weight in the area of critical reviews of hip-hop recordings.

In the VH-1 documentary “Driven” MC Serch described Nas’ success with Illmatic as having “Hit 10 Home Runs.”

When Mercury and Mars, which are also in Aries, are added to the equation, there’s a “push” factor which undeniably holds the potential to force others into competition and prompt them to apply their will at a heightened level of assertion.

In fact, there have been numerous interviews from DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Q-Tip and LES which discuss the level of competition amongst producers in the making of Illmatic. One could easily argue that this is the finest group of hip-hop producers assembled for one album.

With the Sun’s powerful developmental connections to both Uranus and Neptune, we’re witnessing an album whose originality and genius, borne out of rebellion takes center stage. Nas, in stating his feelings about the recording of Illmatic said that he had to tell a story which was “all his own” (Sun-Uranus). This vibe is coupled with a poetic, flowing self-expression which provides inspiration through vivid imagery and the symbolic painting of pictures (Sun-Neptune).

(photo : nas and a.z.) source: stopthebreaks.com

According to Peter Rosenberg of the radio station Hot 97 in New York, Nas was hailed a “Hip-Hop Messiah of mythological proportions.” (Sun-Neptune) upon the release of this album.

Illmatic’s Leo Moon reflects the light of the Aries Sun through a personality which is fulfilled through gaining notice, praise and validation from others.

There was a big buzz surrounding Illmatic, so it wasn’t just an album that came from out of the blue and snuck up on people. Nas also mentioned in an interview , sponsored by Google that he felt those hip-hop icons that had come before him, and had given so much to the art, HAD to like his album in order for him to feel complete. He wanted the likes of Kool G Rap, MC Shan, etc… those icons that he may just happen to run into at a local bodega in Queensbridge, to tell him “good job”. Nas also mentioned the fact that his career could’ve been over if his album didn’t receive the “co-sign” of those who were respected in hip-hop circles.

Also appropriate for the Astrological signature of Illmatic is its Cancer Ascendant. Nas’ childhood picture (Cancer), graces the covering (Ascendant) of the album, along with his roots and foundation, Queensbridge projects, in the backdrop. Also, within the fold of the liner notes, there’s a picture of his childhood friends as they sit on a park bench. Illmatic is filtered through the lens of nostalgia, with songs like “Memory Lane”, and it also invokes an emotional response as a focal part of its identity expression.

Finally, it’s Cancer rising speaks to a musical lineage, as Nas’ father, Olu Dara, a jazz musician joins him by lending his musical talents on the LES produced track “Life’s a Bitch”. Not only did this track highlight biological family, but also artistic family, as it gave birth to A.Z’s career, and he’s gone on to become a hip-hop heavyweight in his own right.

In the aforementioned VH-1 documentary “Driven”, Peter Rosenberg stated that the release of Illmatic put hip-hop in a position to be taken seriously as an art form, which it’s Pisces MC flanked by Saturn strongly suggests: Not only serious art on the world’s stage, but A standard bearer (Saturn) for music from a universal standpoint (Pisces).

Looking at Illmatic’s 5th House, which outlines the domain in which both artistic and physical “children” are created, we see circumstances which surround birth, death and the underbelly and ills of life. The themes which pervaded this album weren’t always pretty, yet there were also benefits and artistic riches to be unearthed from tumultuous circumstances on the path to meeting Illmatic’s ultimate destiny (Jupiter, North Node and Pluto in Scorpio).

The death came before the making of Illmatic when Nas’ best friend, Willie Graham, better known as “Ill Will” was shot and killed. According to Nas’ brother, Jungle, in the VH-1 documentary, “Driven”, this occurred on May 23, 1992. This had a profound effect on Nas and would later serve as fuel for a powerful and transformative creativity which connected to his self-expression. The birth would occur on June 15, 1994, a couple of months after Illmatic’s official release date, and that would be his daughter Destiny.

Using whole sign houses, we can easily see that the 3rd/9th house MC/IC axis of Virgo and Pisces suggests that on all of Illmatic’s tracks although Nas is speaking with exactness and precision (Virgo) about his experiences in his immediate environment (3rd house), the cosmic design is to balance that so a much larger sphere of the world (9th house) can relate for Universal (Pisces) understanding.

With the Taurus/Scorpio nodal axis, Illmatic, as a work of art had to find a way to make money (Taurus), while projecting a deeper significance (Scorpio) for hip hop culture. Although critically acclaimed, the album didn’t immediately catapult to the heights of platinum status as did may more commercially recognizable albums. Nas’ brother Jungle stated that Nas’ advance for Illmatic was a mere $17,000 at the time, so he was forced to, at that time to consider a balance between regenerating (Scorpio) hip-hop and material comforts (Taurus). In many eyes, Illmatic (and Nas) wasn’t/weren’t receiving the return on investment which it deserved.

Fortunately for the hip-hop faithful, Illmatic is an album which is being discussed 20 + years from its release, and for Nas, it’s enabled him to integrate the works’ nodal axis on the strength of a brilliant display of artistry thereafter.

So, I walked into Barnes & Noble bookstore yesterday and I was pleased to find Hexagon Astrology Magazine on the shelves.

I’m excited that Astrology is continuously getting more exposure to the world. I give props to Matt Savinar for providing a medium for many up and coming Astrologers to gain visibility and recognition for the work that they’re doing, as well as including great articles from some of the larger, more recognizable names.

Secondly, I have an article in this magazine which I really enjoyed writing.

For those who don’t know, I’m a serious Hip Hop head right down to the core.

I’ve been greatly influenced by the entire culture as well as many of the artists and the things they’ve had to say over the years. When I first started practicing Astrology, I knew that it was essential that I incorporate hip hop in some way shape or form. I also view hip hop as a tremendously vibrant, creative and innovative art form which has the power to change the world and infuse fresh air into a modality such as Astrology.

I look at Astrology as an art, just like Hip hop. HOW you say it matters just as much as what you say. delivery and choice of words is key.

Having had continuous exposure to the Hip-Hop community and Astrology, I’ve come in contact with some extremely interesting people. My hopes are that I will be one of the catalysts that influences Astrology to take a closer look at Hip Hop and Hip Hop to take a closer look at Astrology.

I want to also give a serious shout out to the Astrologers who have also sparked the effort to reach out to the Hip Hop community and give them something they can relate to within their interpretations. Now, more than ever, I think it’s time that we have fresh analysis and synthesis and place it beside what’s continuously repeated over and over again.

Astrology needs cultural diversity in its views. So, while I appreciate all of the charts I’ve seen of almost every president who has been in office , or the Kings and Queen’s of every country, we also need to look at the birth charts of Nas’, Lauryn Hill’s, Rah Digga’s, and Kendrick Lamar’s the world – just to name a few.

The personalities within the Hip Hop community are just as multi-varied and complex as the standard astro fare that’s been served up for years that’s contained in almost any publication in circulation.

Someone once told me that “you have to be the Astrologer that you want to see”.

Today, I receive this sentiment with an open heart and I will continue to do just that.

The article I’ve written is entitled “The Night That Changed The World: The Birth of Hip Hop Culture”. The night refers to August 11th 1973 when Kool Herc threw the back to school jam Which incorporated the elements of what we now know as Hip Hop.

There are many discussions about when Hip Hop “came about”, but I found 8/11/1973 to be the most widely recognized date. I find it quite interesting to simultaneously look back and forward and see all Hip Hop has become with it’s strengths and foibles in tow.

If your local Barnes & Noble doesn’t have it in stock, and you’re interested in subscribing, you can go to : hexagoninfulleffect.com for more information.

I appreciate each and every one of you who read this blog and I’m hoping that my writing has, and continues to widen your scope of knowledge and perspective in some way. I’m very much a part of the Hip Hop generation and it’s reach as a social movement has spanned the globe. I hope to be a conduit of the words of wisdom it has to offer as well as an honest critic of its missteps.